Oak Harbor LTAC hears $804,000 in requests for $408,000 available; committee will score and forward recommendations to council

Oak Harbor’s Lodging Tax Advisory Committee on Oct. 9 heard presentations from more than 20 local event organizers and tourism-related organizations seeking lodging-tax (hotel-motel) funds, with applicants requesting about $804,000 while the city has roughly $408,000 available for distribution this cycle.

The LTAC meeting, chaired by Brian Stuckey, centered on grant proposals ranging from capital debt service for a marina dredging bond to multi-year event operations and marketing campaigns intended to attract visitors from more than 50 miles away. Wendy Horn, the city grants administrator and LTAC liaison, reminded the committee of statutory limits on how lodging tax may be used under state law. "The lodging tax ... is specifically to be used for tourism marketing, marketing of operations of special events and festivals designed to bring people to Oak Harbor from more than 50 miles away," Horn said.

The shortfall in requested funds framed much of the discussion. Stuckey told the group there is roughly half as much money available as applicants requested and asked members to keep the statutory purpose in mind while scoring. Committee members will score applications and return grading sheets to staff by Oct. 17; LTAC will deliberate and make formal recommendations to the city council, which has final authority on awards.

Major requests and proposals

- Oak Harbor Marina: Harbor master Alyce Henry requested lodging-tax support for debt-service repayment tied to a planned dredging project. Henry said the full dredge would cost about $13.2 million and last 10–13 years, with the marina’s annual debt service for that project estimated at about $1 million. She asked LTAC for $55,000 per year for 20 years toward the marina’s bond repayment and said the marina currently contributes about $5,000,000 annually to Oak Harbor’s economy. Henry described silting that has reduced usable depths and said dredging is required every 10–15 years to maintain marina operations.

- Whidbey Island Marathon: A city staff presenter identified as Chris said the marathon and associated events drew 1,500 participants in the most recent running; the event reported 818 participants from more than 50 miles away and 464 participants who stayed one to three nights in paid lodging, producing an estimated 703 overnight stays. The city is requesting $25,000 from LTAC to cover a portion of the event’s 2026 budget (estimated at $125,000).

- Windjammer Park event enhancements: Mikhail Finkel, the city’s executive services coordinator, requested one-time LTAC support for permanent and temporary infrastructure at Windjammer Park to support special events. Estimated costs presented included about $8,000 for permanent Wi‑Fi equipment and installation, roughly $7,500 for a centralized potable-water station (depending on proximity to the water main) and about $5,000 for electrical enhancements such as an independent receptacle to reduce generator use.

- Small museums, festivals and nonprofit venues: Multiple local nonprofits and event producers requested operating and marketing funds aimed at increasing overnight stays in shoulder seasons. Highlights included the Pacific Northwest Naval Air Museum (Barry Meldrum) planning a Top Gun–related temporary exhibit and a heritage tour with bus pickup from Burlington and Mount Vernon; Imagination Cove Children’s Museum (Jaylen and Mala) seeking support for traveling exhibits and digital marketing and noting 23,541 guests since last July; the Oak Harbor Music Festival (Cynthia Mason) seeking three-year support; and the Whidbey Wren (Renaissance) Fair (Arielle Morgan) describing rapid attendance growth and a need for a permanent site.

- Other event requests: Presentations also came from the Greater Oak Harbor Chamber of Commerce (Celine Muldowney Stratton) describing visitor-center operations and multi-platform marketing; Oak Harbor Main Street (Cheryl) seeking multi-year operating support and event promotion funding including a revived Oktoberfest; Whidbey Playhouse (Nikki Tesh) asking for season marketing tied to shows that draw regionally; Tour de Whidbey (Rainey Simpson) reporting long-term rider and overnight-stay figures; Meerkirk Gardens, Master Gardeners workshop, Island County Motorcycle Club, Hydros for Heroes/Oak Harbor Yacht Club, and others.

Process, timing and next steps

LTAC will not make final awards at the Oct. 9 meeting. The committee heard presentations, asked clarifying questions, and set an internal timetable: grading sheets are due to staff by Oct. 17, and staff will circulate a SurveyMonkey to schedule a follow-up meeting when as many members as possible can attend. The committee noted an LTAC rule: members who represent applicant organizations must not score their own applications.

Procedural actions

At the start of the meeting the committee unanimously approved the meeting agenda and the minutes of the Feb. 4 meeting. At the end of the session a motion to adjourn passed.

Why it matters

LTAC funding is restricted by state statute and by municipal rules to activities that demonstrably attract visitors from beyond the local trade area; the committee’s allocations will shape which events and facilities receive city-supported marketing or operations funding for the coming year. With applicants requesting roughly double the available funds this cycle, LTAC’s scoring decisions will determine which proposals proceed to the city council with formal recommendations.

What was not decided

No awards were made at the Oct. 9 meeting. The city council retains final approval authority and may accept, modify or return LTAC’s recommendations for further comment. The committee recorded no binding commitments beyond those described by presenters and the city staff liaison.